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Saturday, December 25, 2010

Things That Make a Seamstress Happy....

I already have the fabric for the Swing Dress-- the same fabric I used for Marianne's medieval dress. I can't wait to get started on it!!! :-D My first '40s dress! :-D

I spent some riding-in-the-car time today pouring over Patterns of Fashion. For those of you who have heard about how amazing it is-- you heard correctly. It is fantastic-- no wonder all the "big-time" historical costumers love it. It contains notes from and for dressmakers/tailors from the mid-1600s to the mid-1800s, as well as the basic patterns for some 40 or 50 women's clothing styles from 1660 to 1860. There are some gorgeous gowns and outerwear from the 18th century which I definitely plan to add to my wardrobe over time. ;-) (I'll just have to sell some more doll clothes first. ;-) ) (Speaking of which, I think some of the patterns in J.A. may serve as inspiration for doll clothes as well. ;-) )

It is over 700 pages of Regency and Romantic era etiquette, hair dressing, costume plates and descriptions, instructions for cutting out and assembling several different stays and a riding habit, as well as a few embroidery patterns, a glove pattern, and oh, my goodness I could just go on forever! It's all from period sources form the 1820s, translated mostly from French, but a few English sources were used as well. I think you would just love it!